Paula Newcomb is devastated — and heartbroken — after several sections of roof on her Farmington store, Comics-Cards Game Center, came crashing in last Monday during a rainstorm.

Destroyed was a huge amount of merchandise — mostly comic books, many vintage — which had been passed down to her from her father, who operated a similar shop in Farmington Hills before passing away in 2010. Four large gaps in the roof appeared Monday evening, she said, allowing rain to pour in and ruin piles and piles of comics, including those sealed in plastic.

"This was my dad's livelihood, and it's gone," she said, crying as she stood surrounded by the damage and mess on Thursday. "This was my dad's stuff — that's what hurts the most."

Newcomb blames an ongoing problem with the roof. A city official has since been out to the site and required the roofing company now working on the building — Osachi Construction Company — to pull a permit. A city official is expected to return once the job is finished, said Chuck Eudy, Farmington's Department of Public Works director.

As for insurance, Newcomb said she wasn't able to obtain any on the building due to roofing problems. "No one would insure me because of all the leaks, and I wasn't going to lie about it," she said

She and her fiance, Nick Dunsky — who manages the business — believe the roof was not adequately covered when roofers finished work Monday, allowing rain into the business.

However, Istifan Osachi, owner of Osachi Construction, said he stands behind his work, has followed proper procedures and chalks up the incident to the building's poor condition. "This is an old roof," he said, adding that once the job is completed there shouldn't be further problems.

"We're trying to finish the job (now) ... it should all be fine (when the job is finished). We're almost done," he said on Thursday. "Now it's going to be brand new."

Chris Cummins was in the store pricing cards for Dunsky when the cave-ins occurred. "It sounded like a miniature car or a wrecking ball coming through the roof," he said.

Cummins quickly took action, pleading for help through Facebook. Within minutes, at least a dozen had showed up at the store to lend a hand.

Liz Daoud, who volunteers at the store and spends plenty of time hanging around there, said it was no surprise so many people responded to the plea and moved merchandise to prevent further damage.

"This is not just a comic book store — this is like a second home to so many of us," she said, noting tournaments and other activities are held there several times a week, and plenty of customers regularly hang out there.

Newcomb and Dunsky approximate their loss at $56,000, but say the total is likely much higher since they're basing their estimate on the comics valued at $2 each. Many, they said, sell for much more.

Compounding the loss, Dunsky said, is having the store closed for several days until the place can be cleaned up. "We usually bring in $500 a day, and $1,000 on Saturdays and Sundays," he said.

Osachi said Newcomb is making too much of the situation.

"(The merchandise) is just junk, pictures and old books...I tell her 'What, you crazy?' And I said I will make her happy," Osachi said. "I will take care of the carpet and everything. It's no big deal."